Mon State

Mon State is a beautiful area in the country of Myanmar. It sits between Kayin State to the east and the Andaman Sea to the west. To the north, it borders Bago Region, and to the south, it meets Tanintharyi Region. At its very southeastern tip, Mon State also touches Thailand's Kanchanaburi Province.

The land covers 12,155 km² (4,693 sq mi), with a long coastline that stretches for 566 km (352 mi). Along this coast are small islands such as Kalegauk, Wa Kyun, and Kyungyi Island. The Dawna Range runs along the eastern side, creating a natural border with Kayin State.

The capital city of Mon State is Mawlamyine. This area has a rich culture and history, making it an important part of Myanmar.

History

See also: Mon people and Mon kingdoms

The Mon people have a long history. Their tradition says their first kingdom, called Suwarnabhumi, began around the port of Thaton about 300 BC.

The Mon people became followers of Buddhism early on, and they mixed their culture with Indian traditions. By around 825, they had built important cities like Bago (Pegu) and Thaton.

Mon kingdoms

Main article: Mon kingdoms

The first kingdom clearly linked to the Mon was Dvaravati. After that, many people moved west to what is now Myanmar and started new kingdoms.

Advent of the British

Lower Burma, including what is now Mon State, was taken over by Great Britain in 1824 after a war. The Mon people helped the British, hoping for their own leaders again. Many Mon people who had lived in Siam returned home under British rule. Over time, most of the mixed Anglo-Burmese community left for the UK or Australia.

Burmese independence

In 1947, the Mon people wanted to make their own decisions about their future, separate from the new Union of Burma. The leader of Burma at the time, U Nu, did not agree to this. In 1974, Mon State was officially created.

Government

Mon State has its own government with leaders who help manage the area. There is a special group called the Mon State Hluttaw that helps make important decisions. The Mon State High Court makes sure laws are followed fairly.

Demographics

Mon State had a population of 2 million people in 2014.

The Mon people are the largest group, but there are also Bamar, Kayin, Pa-O, Anglo-Burmese, and Thai people living in places like Kyaikkami. Many of these groups do not speak the main language, Burmese.

Most people in Mon State follow Buddhism. Other religions include Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity.

Geography

Mon State is a region in Myanmar. It is located between Kayin State to the east, the Andaman Sea to the west, Bago Region to the north, and Tanintharyi Region to the south. It also shares a small border with Thailand at its southeastern tip. The area of Mon State is 12,155 km² (4,693 square miles).

Climate and weather

Mon State has a tropical climate. Because it is close to the sea, the weather is usually mild with only small temperature changes. For example, the average temperature in the city of Mawlamyine is around 78 °F (26 °C) in January and 85 °F (29 °C) in April. The area gets a lot of rain, especially in July and August, with annual rainfall reaching up to 217 inches (5.5 meters) in some places.

Economy

Mon State has lots of land for farming. Nearly 4,500,000 acres are used to grow rice. Another important crop is rubber. In the mountains, there are orchards and rubber farms. In the coastal south, especially in Ye District, people fish and make products like dried fish, fish sauce, and agar-agar.

People in Mon State also grow betel nut, which has been a traditional way to earn a living. Some areas near the border with Karen State are not used for farming. Recently, people have started growing cashew trees for their nuts.

Other industries in Mon State include making paper, sugar, and rubber tires. Thaton has a big factory for rubber products. Forests cover about half of the state, so cutting timber is also important. The state has minerals like salt, antimony, and granite.

Mon State has many natural resources, but they are often used by important leaders and companies from other countries. One big project is the use of natural gas reserves.

There is a research center in Mudon that studies farming, especially rubber and plant care.

The future for tourism in Mon State looks good because it has good ways to travel, like trains, buses, boats, and airplanes. The new Mawlamyine Bridge makes it easier to travel between southern Mon State and cities like Bago and Yangon. The Three Pagodas Pass is a route that connects Mon State to Kanchanaburi province in Thailand.

Transport

Mon State has two airports that help people travel. One is called Ye Airport, and the other is Mawlamyine Airport. These airports make it easier for people to fly in and out of the area.

Administrative divisions

Mon State’s capital city is Mawlamyine. It is the fourth largest city in Myanmar. It used to be called Moulmein when Myanmar was under British rule.

Mon State has two main districts:

• Mawlamyine District
• Thaton District

Education

See also: List of universities in Mon State

This section shows the public schools in Mon State for the school year 2002–2003.

Most colleges and universities are in Mawlamyine. Mawlamyine University is the largest and main university there.

Health care

The health care system in Myanmar, including Mon State, is not very strong. Health care is supposed to be free, but people often have to pay for medicines and treatments, even at public hospitals and clinics. These public places usually do not have many advanced tools or equipment to help patients. The information above shows details about the public health system in Mon State from the year 2002–2003.

Notable sites

• Kyaiktiyo Pagoda: A famous religious site with a steeple built on a rock covered with gold leaf, balanced on the edge of a cliff.
• Kyaikhtisaung Pagoda: A famous pagoda said to hold a hair of the Gautama Buddha.
• Kaylartha Pagoda: A famous pagoda on Kaylartha Mountain where the Buddha is said to have landed.
• Thaton: Thaton was the capital of the Thaton Kingdom, which ruled parts of Lower Burma long ago.
• Mudon Kangyi Pagoda: It lies on a hill west of a large lake near Mudon.
• Win Sein reclining Buddha: It is the world's largest reclining Buddha, located in Mudon.
• Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery & Death Railway Museum
• Setse Beach & Kyaik-kami
• Kyaikmaraw Paya: A huge Buddha image built long ago by Queen Shin Saw Pu, the only female ruler in Myanmar's history.
• Belu-kyun (Bilu island): It is located opposite to Mawlamyine, and is known for traditional handmade products.
• Zinkyaik Pagoda: An ancient pagoda on top of Zinkyaik Mountain and former home of Hermits Tissa and Thiha